Mine roof and timbering jack



NOV. 28, 1950 F, JAKOUBEK 2,532,168

MINE ROOF AND TIMBERING JACK` Y Filed June 12, 1948 Patented Nov. 28, 1950 UNITED RooF AND TIMBERIN'G titoli FrankJ.-.Ja'ko1`1bek, Elmwuodlark, 1li.- App'lication Junelz, 1948,seria1 No. szgss (01. fasi- 100) LSiCIams. l This invention relates Ito improvements in mine roo'i and timbering fjacks Iand it `"consists of the `matters hereinafterdescribed `and more `particu- "lal-y "p'ointedout inthe 4appended claims.

Jacksof this kind-are used `a's-"tenrporary "roof supporting columns in `the immediate "mining areas `and haulagewaya as in lcoal mines; In

suehiareas "and ways,` the jacks are installedin a generally-upright position, with the Abase there- Afo"fresting on the minelbottom and with the head f engaged with a cross-timber. In haulageways,

which `are f relatively narrow, such jacks are often 4supporting timbers, formerly held in place by such jacks, fall and oftenproduce `-serious injury Lt'o'operatOrs Lriding the cars Aor locomotives 'Mine roof and ntirnbering jacks, as `heretofore constructed, gei'lerally' includera"standarda base,

a screw and associated nut, as Well as'a "cross timber fen'gageable head. The nutH turns "on that end of` the Ystandardopposite the base, 4ar1d"'win'g nuts'or slidahandle's'are-Lassociated with thenut for turning thewsame *step l'loy step to produce anextension orma retraction of *the screw l'relative to the standar'dsinjaeking "operations, When the-standard `is of aV `heightapproximating` the height `-of fan operator, the wing nuts `and-slide handles "become dangerous to l operators `in the vicinity ofthe `jack installations. 'Reports ffrom the eld `indicate that lacerations have` Aoccurred to fminers, for failure Ito `notice ythe Lprojecting wingnuts and slidehandles.

When :the vein being mined 'is 'relatively `high so that operatorshave` difficulty in 'reaching such nuts I'and slide 'handlesthe jacks arefusually -inver-ted, lend `for `end, so that the wing Vnuts for slidehan'dles `-are located toward the bottomfof the jack `and are in such a Aposition as to cause tripping "accidents to operators in the vicinity L of' the same.

'In 'such jacks, as heretofore constructed, the screws are `relatively long and embody no "provision lforua quick extension thereof in adjusting the jack to that approximate length necessary for a `particular jacking operation. Therefore, to'fapproxmate the adjustment as `to length, "the operator must turn theY nut step by stepuuntil the desiredl extension of the screw is approached. Therefore, where a screw extensonof say`15"is required `in `the approximate setting of a jack, inlthose jackshaving wing nuts Orslidehandles for turning the screw, such nuts must be"turned from `45 to `-60 turns, faccording 'to 'the #pitch of thefthreads fofthe screw. fIn this respect it `is pointed outthatfthe 1usualpractice is to make *such screws either` with fa S33-pitchthread`1-(3 -threas =per finch) or 4vsitha 2250 `pitch lthread (four to the inch). Toeextendlfsuchscrewstby 'turning ithe-`m1t itrom-@f5 "to-'60 turns requires:- considerable time 'and in miningoperations time is cost-ly, tem, which concerns 'bcth labor fand management. From labors viewpoint, to-reduce *jackinstallatlon time L'for roofing or ftimbering, means higher `take-homesnay; because mineral products are generally mined on a` tonnage in- `centive-loasis.

` Because lof "la-bor disabling iletcmidents "inf mine haulage ways, Aduelft'c derailed' mine locomotives Aor cai-s, ldislaoing cross itim'b'ering ijac'ks, there h'asbeen "introduced dinto *the Amining industry ra; feo-called4 \pin-up" ljatk ffsystemi,lwhere'in special bases or feet for yist1cejav l` "fare usedtooperatively-engage fa bottom `support in `tl'ieffform Lof a -nihn so disposed in Lthe Tside Mwall of "the "haulage way as to projectltheretromeatla 'distancefabove ithebottomeof'said way; When in use, a 15in-up ack stands-*at'au-fanle to-thelperpendicular and "therefore with 4jacks "as heretofore consti-noted, a special base and a `special fhead ymustlbe ap- `jzled toithe standard and thelfscrew'. 'This `entaL-il's Ieither t"he--\extraiexpensefo removal o'f lthe *standard* lbases `and heads and fthesubstitution of the"specialA bases and heads, aor 'thapurchase "of `jaclzsmade-:for this'purpose.

One of the objects of the Vpresent invention Fis 'to 'provide and improvedniine roof `'andtimbering `jack which; thouglrlightl in `weight for easy one-man'-lfxandling, isexceedinglystrongfand safe Yin "use, may be `speedily -adjustedto `appr(mini-ate 'the length "of jack requiredwi a 'particularljackin'g operation `and `which eliminates the turning fthelnut, step'by step,uponthe `screw, inmakling such adjustments.

'Anoth'ersbject othelnvention is toprovide, in a`j aclvof this kind, a "base *which may "be used :for-either -acorrventionalrcrz'arpin-up jack-operationand atiniber engaging head which snugly engages the roof or cross timber` so that it cannot- *sllp therefrom ii-ur'ing `either of Asuch 'jackf ing operations.

Further-more, :it lis an object of the invention to soa correlate f thescr'ew engageable nut and ``the nut `retainer-onjthestandardfthat while thenut 'is lconned-1 against "accidental""displacementTelflative lto ythe retainerorlhousing on the l standard, it rmay Ilbereleased ltherefrom -`to afford- "a' ifreeing of the screw from the standard and aquick rtm1 nihgwof the nu't' into'ithedesired *positionithereon 3 tainer and this without requiring the use of extra tools of any kind.

The above mentioned objects of the invention, as well as others, together with the advantages thereof, will more fully appear as the specification proceeds.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in longitudinal vertical section of a mine roof and timbering jack embodying the preferred form of the invention, when used conventionally in a cross timbering operation, as a temporary timber post or a temporary mine roof safety post.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view through a part of the jack as taken on the line 2-2 and on the scale of Fig. 1, and more particularly shows the disposition of coacting parts on the standard and on the nut respectively which prevent longitudinal movement therebetween.

Fig. 3 is a View similar to Fig. 2 showing the f disposition of the coacting parts on the standard and on the nut respectively, when they have been turned relatively to permit the longitudinal movement therebetween.

Fig. 4 is a view in elevation of the timber engageable head and associated collar of the jack when viewed at an angle of 90 from that appearing in Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional View through the parts appearing in Fig. 4, as taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a horizontal vertical sectional View through the bottom end portion of the jack as taken on the line 6 6 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a view showing a modied form of jack .f

structure, providing the separable connection between the standard and the nut, and which will be more fully referred to later.

Fig. 8 is a view in elevation on a scale reduced from that of Fig. l, showing the improved jack in use as a so-called pin-up jack.

Referring now in detail to that embodiment of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6 inclusive of the drawing, the improved jack includes a hollow standard I Il which is made of a length of tubing of any desired cross sectional shape. Preferably, said tubing is made of an aluminum alloy, whereby though it is light in weight, it is exceedingly strong and will resist severe endwise compressive stresses without buckling or bendthe ange I2 are upright lugs I5, each of which terminates in an inwardly extending hook or retaining flange Iii and centrally in the ange I2 is a screw opening I'I. The parts just described best appear in Fig. 1.

Associated with the standard is a lifting screw I8 of a diameter to freely pass through the opening II in the flange l2 of the housing. At the .bottom end of the screw, which is normally disposed within the standard, isa stop collar I9, of a diameter greater than that of the flange open- 'i ing I'I to prevent the screw from being withdrawn longitudinally from the upper end of the standard. Y

Threaded upon the screw I8 is a nut 20 having a hand wheel 2| at the top for turning the same and having a radial ange 22 at the bottom, which has bearing engagement upon the iiange i2 of the housing II. In opposite sides of the ange 22 are recesses 23 (see Figs. 2 and 3) of a width greater than the width of the hook flanges I6 so that said anges I6 may pass therethrough when in register therewith. When said hook anges are out of register with the recesses, said iianges overhang the llange 22 of the nut 2li and prevent the displacement of the nut from the housing II.

On the upper end of the screw I 8 is an adapter or cap 2li which is so attached to the screw by a cap screw 25 as to have a swivelled connection with said screw I3, so that while it can turn relatively thereto, it cannot be accidentally displaced therefrom. On the upper end of the adapter '2d and extending centrally across the same is a flat lug 26 upon which is mounted a timber engageable head 2l. On the bottom of said head is provided a pair of depending ears 28--28 laterally spaced to be disposed one upon each side oi the lug 26. A pin 29 passes through said lug and ears 28 to aiord an operative pivotal connection therebetween, whereby the head 2l is capable of a tilting movement with respect to the adapter or cap 24. Said ears 28-28 are connected together by a tie or bridge 30, which is so disposed as to engage one of the end edges of the lug :i6 and thus limit the tilting movement oi the head 2 in one direction.

The head 2l includes a timber engageable top plate Si, (see Fig. 4) which is provided at opposite sides with upright flanges 32 and a centrally arranged shallow channel 33. The top plate made as described, will 'effectively engage with either a i'lat bottomed mine roof or cross timber 3d or a round bottomed one and this without permitting a lateral escape of the timber from the head 21.

One end portion 35 of the plate 3| is disposed at an angle to the other end portion 36 of said plate, which two portions 35-35 best appear in Fig. 5 and this angle corresponds to the angle through which the head 2l can tilt on the adapter or cap as limited by the engagement of the bridge Sil with the edge of the lug 26. At `that end of the portion 35 opposite the end where it joins the portion S, is iprovided an upwardly extending right angled flange El, which terminates at the top in the plane oi' the plate portion 36. The bottom portion of this ange is adapted for engagement with another edge of the lug 26 to limit the oounterclockwise tilting movement to substantially the position shown in Fig. l.

At the bottom end of the standard is a base 3B, which in one position on or relative to the standard, forms a flat footing for engagement upon 'a mine bottom or floor and in another position, on or relative to the standard, aords a supporting engagement with a pin-up supporting pin 39 (see Fig. 8) ,projecting laterally from an upright wall 6i@ of a mine haulage way or the like.

Said base has a ilat bo-tttom di, upri'ght side walls iZ-ii and a front wall d3, the upper rear corners of the side walls being joined by the bridge dii. rihe front wall and fro-nt part of the bottom l coact to dene a pin-up pin recess 38a, as in Fig. 6. The upper end of the side walls 42 and the iront wall d3, along with the bridge 44 coact to provide a top opening 35 and the rear part of the side walls .5.2 and a part of the bottom along with the bridge 44 dene side opening 46. The front and side openings are each of the size kand shape to correspond with the cross sectional shape of the lend of .the i standard and 'both open into the interior `of "the ibase, "aslis obviousifrom Fig. 1. After the bottom 'end `-oi the standard has `:been inserted` into `either opening i 45--46 into the 'interior of thebase, `it is operatively but detachablysecured in place thereon "by means of "a bolt 41 that passes through both side walls offthe base and throughopposite sidesof the standard and which both best appear in Figs. 1 and 6.

In Fig. 47 fis iilustrated a modified construction by which "the nut, which is therein indicated by the numeral 20a, is operatively but detachably engaged with the housing, indicated by the nurneral ll ia. In. this constructionthe top end of the housing is made to `provide a radial flange 22a andbeneath the .same is an annular groove, the bottomendof the nut `'ila is provided with oppositely disposed depending lugs Iba, each `of which terminates in an inturnecl hook'. In the ange 22a are recesses (not shown) similar to the recesses 23 in Figs. 2 and 3 for the passage of the hooks [Ga in the `separation of the nut 20a from the housing lia. Thus, in this construction, `the parts are disposed in a manner opposite to that appearing in Fig. 1, but functions in the same manner.

In Fig. 1 theimproved jack is shown in its conventional upright position for supporting a mine roof or similar timber 3d from the mine bottom oriloor. In this position'the bottom end of the standardpasses through the opening 65 of the base intothe interior thereof with the extremity of `said endengaged on the bottom of the base. In this position one pair or opposite sides ci said end of the standard engage opposite sides of the base and the 'other pair of sides of said end of the standard are engaged with the wall i3 and th'ebridge M respectively of the base and said parts are held in this position by the removable bolt li'l. Thus, the base is firmly secured to the standard.

The timber 3d is shown as resting firmly on the surface portion 35 of the head and upon the topend ofthe flange 3T. By turning the hand wheel 2l in the proper direction, the nut 2li is rotated on the housing and this extends the screw upwardly so that the head firmly engages the timber 34 to support the same in the manner of a well fitted post.

In a preliminary step prior to the setting of the jack for a jacking operation, the operator afpproximates the distance between the timber .34 and the mine bottom. Atthis timethe jack may be in its "dou/n position for easy handling, wherein the nut `2li may be turned to bring `its recesses 23 into register with the lugs IB on the housing ila-nge l2. When this has been done, the nut 20 and screw I8 may be withdrawn outwardly from the housing ll to that distance which in the operators estimation will produce the approximate length of jack necessary for the jacking operation at hand. Thereafter, the hand wheel 2l is spun to cause the same to travel down the screw. This operation of adjusting the nut 2D on the screw `I8 is quickly accomplished, after which the nut is applied to the standard and turned so as to take the recesses 23 out of register withlthe hook lugs I of the housing.

4En this condition, the jack can be readily handled, without a separation between the parts, for a setting of the jack in position for the jacking operation to be carried out. With the base 38 resting on the mine bottom or iloor, the jack now stands in an upright position with the head positioned nearth'e .timber. Byturningfthe :wheel 2l in 'the proper direction, the screw fis i extended to rmly engage the head in supporting relation to :the `timber.

Now assume that .ittis desired `to use `one lo'f the .jacks in l a pin-up` `jacking operation, `as Eig, 8. The boltiM is .removed so that the base may be separated from the .standard rDheend of the l standard is thendnserted :through the side opening dii and into the `interioriof the `:base `38, so that its extremity is engaged with the wall el of the base. Atthis time the .bottom wall 4| of thebase extends `parallel with .one side of the standard. Thereafter, the boltM .is replacediand the Abase `has the relative position on the standard, as appears at the bottom of Fig. 8.

Afterthe length of the jack required `for the pin-up jacking operation has been estimated, it is extended to the approximate length, as before described. 'Ihe recess 33a of .the vbase is then engaged upon thepin-uppin 39 and the jack then disposed inan oblique position. The head 2li is then tilted so that its surface 35 is `engageable withthe end of the timber 34 `as appears in the upper portion of Fig. 8, at which time the ange 31 :of the head is engaged by `the extremity of said timber end.

By `turning the hand wheel in the `proper direction, the screw I8 isextended to that position wherein the :jack supports the timber from the pin-up pin. When the jack is in this position, it is so Vlocated `that it cannot be engaged by a derailed locomotive or carandrbe `dislodged from itsplaced or set position. As theppinl-SQ is located s at a level above the mine bottom or iloonthe jack in no way interferes with the `loading operations of the mining equipment used for thepurpose.

The improved jack, thoughflight in `weight for easy one-man handling, is `indeed strong and rigid and will withstand high compression forces without bending, buckling or collapsing.

Furthermore, it may be speedily `adjusted for approximate length and is safe in use. Also, the improved jack may be readily used for either conventional or for pin-up jack operation, .without the necessity of providing special parts or new jacks for either operation and the changeover `may be quickly and easily made.

While in describing the invention I have referred in detail to the form, arrangement and construction of the parts involved, the same is to be considered only in the illustrative sense and therefore I do not wish to be limited thereto, except as may be speciiically set forth in the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. A mine roof and timbering jack `embodying therein a standard member having` atleast -a tubular upper end portion, a screwhaving a part disposed in said portion oi said member, a nut member through which the screw extends `and with which ithas constant threaded engagement, one of said members having a radial flange thereon and against which the other of `said members has a bearing engagement, said other of saidmembers `having at least one lug thereon formed to extend inwardly of and in conning relation. to the flange on said one of said members, said flange having at least one 4recess therein for the passage of said lug through the flange when said lug and said recess are in register to permit of a relative longitudinal movement of said members for a quick adjustment of the nut member by turning the same on the screw in approximating the extended or the retracted condition of the jack for a particular jacking operation.

2. A mine roof and timbering jack embodying therein a standard member having at least a tubular upper end portion, a screw having a part disposed in said portion of said member, a nut member through which the screw extends and with which it has threaded engagement, one of said members having a radial flange thereon, the other of said members having a plurality of arcuately spaced lugs thereon formed to extend inwardly of and in confining relation to the ilange on said one of said members, said ilange having recesses therein arcuately spaced cornplementally to said lugs for the passage of said lugs through the flange, when said lugs and said recesses are in register, to permit of a relative longitudinal movement of said members for a quick adjustment of said nut member by turning the same on the screw in approximating the extended or the retracted condition of the jack for a particular jacking operation.

3. A mine roof and timbering jack embodying therein a standard having at least a tubular upper end portion, a member operatively secured to the upper end of the standard, a screw having a part disposed in said upper end of the standard and passing through said member, a nut through which said screw extends and has constant threaded engagement therewith, said nut including a radial flange having a bearing engagement upon said member, means on said member providing a plurality of arcuately spaced lugs that overhang said flange, said flange having recesses therein complemental to said lugs for the passage of said lugs through said ilange when said recesses and said lugs are in register, to permit of a relative longitudinal movement between said standard and said nut for a quick adjustment of the nut by turning the same on the screw in approximating the extended or retracted condition of the jack for a particular jacking operation.

4. A mine rooi` and timbering jack embodying therein a standard, a lifting screw operatively engaged in one end of said standard, a cap on that end of the screw outwardly beyond said end of the standard, a timber engageable head mounted on said cap for a limited tilting movement about an axis perpendicular to said screw, means providing timber engageable surfaces on said head, disposed at an angle to each other, and means carried by said head and engageable with parts of the cap for limiting the tilting movement of said head to that angle substantially corresponding to the angle between said timber engageable surfaces of said head.

5. A mine roof and timbering jack embodying therein a standard, a lifting screw operatively engaged in one end or" said standard, a cap on that end of the screw outwardly beyond said end of the standard, a lug on the end of said cap, a timber engageable head having ears disposed upon opposite sides oi said lug, means providing a pivotal connection between said lug and said ears of the head and providing a tilting movement of the head on the cap about an axis perpendicular to said screw, means providing timber engage- CII able surfaces on said head disposed at an angle to each other, and means carried by said ears and engageable with opposite sides of said lug for lim'- iting the tilting movement of said head to that angle substantially corresponding to the angle be` tween said timber engageable surfaces of said head.

6. A mine roof and timbering jack embodying therein a standard, a base member for said standard including a part adapted for connection with said standard providing a change between two positions thereon, a ange on said base member providing a footing therefor when in one position relative to the standard, said ilange being formed for operative engagement with a pin-up pin when in the other positionrelative to the standard, said member including parts for engagement with the circumference of a part of said standard to secure the same against rocking movement relative to said member when said standard is in either of said positions.

'7. A mine roof and timbering jack embodying therein a standard, a base member for said standard and including a part formed with a socket having a top opening and a side opening, through either of which an end part of the standard may be passed to extend into said socket, means for securing said part of the base member to said standard, when said end of the standard is passed into the socket through either opening, said basel member having a flange providing a footing therefor when said standard end has been entered into said socket through one of said openings, said ilange having a recess in one side thereof for engagement with a pin-up pin when said end of the standard has been entered into said socket through the other of said openings.

8. A mine roof and timbering jack embodying therein a standard member having at least a tubular upper end portion, a screw having a part disposed in said portion ci said member, a nut member through which the screw extends and with which it has constant threaded engagement, one of said members having a radial flange theres on and against which the other of said members has a bearing engagement, a lug carried by the other of said members and formed to pass theV members for a quick adjustment of the nut member relative to the screw by a turning of the nut member on the screw in approximating the extended or the retracted condition of the jack for a particular jacking operation.

FRANK J. JAKOUBEK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 503,437 Pilcher Aug. 15, 1893 1,240,210 Hopkins Sept, 18, 1917 2,316,432 Hott Apr. 13, 1943 

